Persistent economic and social disparities between urban centers and outlying communities present an ongoing source of instability for countries in the Maghreb.
A third of the 18 countries lacking term limits are facing armed conflict. This is the case for just two of the 21 countries with term limits.
Enhancing Maritime Security in Africa
The Seychelles has been at the vanguard of protecting the maritime domain and prosecuting maritime crimes along Africa’s east coast. The latest Africa Center Maritime Security program examined the country’s approach to combatting criminality on the seas and lessons for other maritime states in Africa.
More Activity but Fewer Fatalities Linked to African Militant Islamist Groups in 2017
Militant Islamist group activity in Africa continues to be highly context-specific. Those with strong local ties have shown considerable resilience, while ISIS has struggled to gain traction in the Maghreb.
Mitigating Radicalism in Northern Nigeria
Increasingly frequent attacks and bombings mask longer-running radicalization dynamics. A sustained approach targeting every stage of the radicalization spectrum, from addressing socioeconomic grievances, to cross-cultural peacebuilding initiatives, to rehabilitating radicalized members of violent Islamist groups, as well as a more measured use of force are needed to reverse this broader trend.
Topic in Focus: Security Sector Governance
The classic approach to disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) is faltering in an environment that now includes violent extremism and transnational mercenaries. Countering violent extremism and de-radicalization must be integrated within DDR. As has been seen by the number of well-educated and middle-income recruits to violent extremist organizations, DDR must refocus its goal from socioeconomic reintegration to social cohesion as a precondition to sustainably reintegrate former fighters.
As the political crisis in Burundi continues, its army, whose post-war reform to depoliticize and professionalize it was long seen as a model for success, is now being torn apart by numerous defections, purges, and competing factions conducting tit-for-tat assassinations. The institution’s integrity and its ability to remain at the service of the people rather than become the President’s personal militia has been permanently damaged. The fact that a career in the Army could soon no longer guarantee a good and steady salary could also contribute to further instability. The degradation of Burundi’s military is a clear outcome of the political crisis. Reversing this trend will require resolving the crisis.